Grow and Go with Em Tyler

In this episode I was delighted to chat with Christopher Cook once more about the long, sometimes messy, but ultimately beautiful path of sanctification.

We talk about the tension between effort and grace, what it really means to surrender, and how transformation requires trust long before it offers clarity.

Chris brings wisdom on spiritual formation, community, and the danger of living as though everything depends on us. Together, we uncover how God shapes us not in the spotlight but in the quiet, hidden places where obedience is forged and identity is strengthened.

This conversation is an invitation to embrace the ongoing work of the Spirit, to trust God with the parts of your life that feel unfinished, and to remember that spiritual growth is never rushed and never wasted.

We talk about:

✨ Why sanctification is a lifelong process, not a moment✨ How obedience requires trust even when we don’t understand✨ The role of surrender in true transformation✨ The danger of functional atheism and self-reliance✨ The power of testimony in shaping faith✨ How to live from victory rather than striving for it

Whether you’re in a season of stretching, questioning, or intentional growth, this episode offers clarity, encouragement, and a reminder that God is faithfully forming you — even when you can’t see it.

Connect further with Christopher:

You can follow Chris on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube at @wintodaychris

Get his book, Healing What You Can’t Erase: Transform Your Mental, Emotional, and Spiritual Health from the Inside Out here: Healing What You Can’t Erase

Listen to Chris’ podcast: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Or search Win Today: Your Roadmap to Wholeness wherever you listen.

Connect further with Em:

⁠Substack⁠ | ⁠emtyler.com⁠ | ⁠Instagram⁠ | Facebook |  Email 

Interested in having Em come speak at your event? ⁠Book Em today! ⁠

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Want to be a guest on Grow + Go with Em Tyler? Send Em Tyler a message on PodMatch.

This was such a refreshing and grounding conversation with Faith Womack about learning to truly enjoy the Bible — not as a rulebook, but as the unfolding story of God’s redemption.

Faith shares her heart behind No More Boring Bible Study and her passion for helping everyday Christians approach scripture with curiosity, humility, and confidence. We talk about why context matters, how theology doesn’t have to be intimidating, and why grace is essential when we disagree about interpretation.

This episode is an invitation to slow down, engage deeply with the Word, and rediscover the joy of meeting God in scripture . . . right in the middle of ordinary life.

We talk about:

✨ Why the Bible is ultimately a story of God’s redemption, not self-improvement✨ How understanding context transforms the way we read scripture✨ Why familiarity with the Bible can sometimes lead to complacency✨ Approaching theology with humility rather than fear✨ Disagreeing well and holding grace at the centre of biblical conversations✨ Why scripture is meant to be enjoyed, not endured✨ Practical ways to begin reading the Bible with fresh eyes

What part of the Bible feels intimidating or confusing to you right now, and what might change if you approached it with curiosity instead of pressure?

Leave a comment

Whether you’re brand new to scripture or have been reading the Bible for years, this episode will encourage you to fall in love with God’s Word again and to trust that He meets us generously when we open it.

Connect further with Faith:

Website | Elsewhere: @biblenerdministries

Connect further with Em:

⁠Substack⁠ | ⁠emtyler.com⁠ | ⁠Instagram⁠ | YouTube | Facebook |  Email 

Interested in having Em come speak at your event? ⁠Book Em today! ⁠

If you found this conversation a blessing in any way, you can show love by making a one time (no subscription!!!) donation below.

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In this deeply insightful conversation, I sit down with Leanne Ellington to explore the complex relationship between self-image, food, and faith.

Leanne shares her personal journey from struggling with weight and self-hatred to discovering how neuroscience and emotional health can transform identity. We talk about rewiring the brain, understanding shame, and how partnering with God in the healing process is essential for lasting change.

This episode is packed with practical insights for anyone wanting true freedom from food obsession, negative self-perception, and unhealthy patterns, and we also get an update about how this matters for teens navigating today’s digital pressures with emotional fitness.

We talk about:

✨ Breaking free from shame and food obsession✨ How understanding your nervous system supports emotional health✨ Rewiring your brain through neuroplasticity for a better self-image✨ Why shame often persists even after physical changes✨ How faith and neuroscience work together in transformation✨ The dangers of self-abandonment and neglecting emotional needs✨ Practical tools for teens to build emotional fitness✨ Partnering with God for identity, freedom, and purpose

Connect further with Leanne:

Website | StressLess Eating | Instagram | Email

Podcasts: Outweigh + What’s God Got To Do With It? (both on iHeartRadio)

Connect further with Em:

⁠Substack⁠ | ⁠emtyler.com⁠ | ⁠Instagram⁠ | Facebook |  Email 

Interested in having Em come speak at your event? ⁠Book Em today! ⁠

If you found this podcast helpful, please subscribe.

Subscribe now

If it would help someone you know, share it.

Share

If you found it a blessing in any way, you can show love by making a one time (no subscription!!!) donation below.

One-off Donation

Want to be a guest on Grow + Go with Em Tyler? Send Em Tyler a message on PodMatch.

In this episode, I sit down one of my new BFFs Laura L. Smith — author of Brave Women, Mighty God — to talk about courage, calling, and the incredible stories of women in Scripture who inspire us to live boldly for God.

Laura unpacks how the women of the Bible—like Huldah (who-now?!), Mary Magdalene, and Jochebed—teach us about wisdom, faith, and bravery in the face of fear. Together, we explore what it means to quiet the noise, hear God’s voice, and make space for Sabbath rest in a culture that rarely slows down.

If you’ve ever wrestled with doubt, hearing from God, or calling, this conversation is an empowering reminder that God equips ordinary women for extraordinary purposes.

We talk about:

✨ Bravery and why it’s essential for women today✨ The power of prayer and divine support through challenges✨ Stories of Huldah, Mary Magdalene, and Jochebed✨ Overcoming rejection and embracing your purpose✨ The importance of Sabbath rest and spiritual renewal✨ Hearing God’s voice in the noise of everyday life

This one’s for everyone learning to trust God, rest deeply, and rise bravely into their calling.

Connect further with Laura:

Website | Instagram | FREE First Chapter of Brave Women, Mighty God

Connect further with Em:

⁠Substack⁠ | ⁠emtyler.com⁠ | ⁠Instagram⁠ | Facebook |  Email 

Interested in having Em come speak at your event? ⁠Book Em today! ⁠

This conversation was an absolute joy for me — partly because I’ve been a long-time fan-girl of Thea Muir, Founder and Creator of I Am So Many Things, and partly because Thea carries a testimony that radiates freedom, truth, and the kindness of God.

In this episode, Thea shares the story of how God broke and remade her, setting her free from the shame and secrecy of an eating disorder. We talk about the lies that masquerade as control, the fear of being judged, and how the Word of God — spoken, declared, and lived — became the anchor that rebuilt her identity from the inside out.

She tells the beautiful origin story of I Am So Many Things, why declarations matter, and how God told her to “beautify the Bride” . . . a phrase that has marked her life and creative work ever since. And yes — for all the tea obsessives — we do, in fact, talk about the perfect size mug for a proper cup of tea.

This episode is full of laughter, honesty, tenderness, and Holy Spirit truth. If you’ve ever battled shame, wrestled with control, or struggled to believe what God says about you, I think you’ll find a friend in Thea’s story.

We talk about:

✨ The breaking and remaking God did in Thea’s life✨ Freedom from shame surrounding an eating disorder✨ How the lies of control never lead to true freedom✨ Fear of being judged and how God untangles it✨ The birth story of I Am So Many Things✨ Why declarations of truth can transform the heart✨ “Beautifying the Bride” — what God spoke and why it matters

If you’re hungry for a richer, more grounded understanding of the Bible, this episode will give you permission to ask questions, seek context, and draw closer to God through discovery.

Connect further with Thea:

Website | Instagram

Connect further with Em:

⁠Substack⁠ | ⁠emtyler.com⁠ | ⁠Instagram⁠ | Facebook |  Email 

Interested in having Em come speak at your event? ⁠Book Em today! ⁠

If you found this podcast helpful, please subscribe.

Subscribe now

If it would help someone you know, share it.

Share

If you found it a blessing in any way, you can show love by making a one time (no subscription!!!) donation below.

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This was such an energising conversation with Miriam Swanson about her journey with Fusion USA and the incredible work of reaching and discipling college students through local churches.

Miriam shares her story of moving from the UK to the USA, navigating cultural differences, and the unexpected challenges—and opportunities—that came during the COVID-19 pandemic. We explore how small acts of faith can make a lasting impact, the importance of empowering younger leaders, and why intimacy with the Holy Spirit is essential in ministry and everyday life.

We talk about:

✨ How Fusion USA strengthens churches in reaching college students✨ The role of discipleship in raising and empowering younger leaders✨ The importance of small acts of faith and everyday obedience✨ Navigating cultural challenges in ministry across contexts✨ How COVID-19 created unique opportunities for reflection and growth✨ The joy and responsibility of pioneering in ministry✨ Why every story—no matter how small—is sacred and valuable to God

Whether you’re involved in ministry, mentoring, or simply wanting to see God move in your community, this episode encourages you to embrace your calling, trust His guidance, and invest in the next generation.

Connect further with Miriam:

Fusion USA | Instagram | Fusion UK

Connect further with Em:

⁠Substack⁠ | ⁠emtyler.com⁠ | ⁠Instagram⁠ | Facebook |  Email 

Interested in having Em come speak at your event? ⁠Book Em today! ⁠

I don’t think I could love this conversation more if I tried. Not least because Tanner Olson’s new book (just released!) Getting Through What You’re Going Through is brilliant and he shared some of the poems and thoughts from within, but also because Tanner just loves Jesus and people and has learnt some things along the way which he shares with us like the Sage that he is.

We talk about:

✨ Bacon, because bacon is important✨ How to get through what you’re going through✨ What keeps us stuck✨ The power and importance of opening our hands, taking a breath, and heading outside✨ God speaking silence fluently✨ Why sometimes we need to shed our skin aka snake style✨ How life is hard, but God is good

If you could write a poem or a line to yourself in the middle of a hard season, what would it say?

Connect further with Tanner:

Website | Getting Through What You’re Going Through | Instagram

Connect further with Em:

⁠Substack⁠ | ⁠emtyler.com⁠ | ⁠Instagram⁠ | Facebook | Email

Interested in having Em come speak at your event? ⁠Book Em today! ⁠

If this conversation has encouraged you, please consider buying me a coffee! Your support helps me keep creating freely and sharing faith-filled content. Every gift—big or small—means so much. Thank you for being a Grow + Go Believer!

Thank you Jan Johnson, Consolata, and many others for tuning into my live video with Tanner Olson! Join me for my next live video in the app.

This was such an encouraging conversation with Asheritah Ciuciu about joy, delight, and the ways God restores our hearts when spiritual disciplines feel like a burden.

Asheritah shares her story of growing up as a missionary kid in Romania, how her name—“God is my happiness”—has shaped her identity, and the journey from legalistic quiet time to a life of prayer, delight, and joy. We explore the importance of community in spiritual growth, the gift of ordinary moments, and practical ways to find restoration when faith feels heavy.

We talk about:

✨ How names and identity influence our relationship with God✨ Rediscovering joy in spiritual disciplines✨ Why community is essential for encouragement and restoration✨ Seeing God at work in everyday life and ordinary moments✨ Moving from duty to delight in prayer, scripture, and worship✨ Finding joy after dark seasons or spiritual burnout✨ How homeschooling and family rhythms can shape spiritual formation

Whether you’re parenting, homeschooling, or simply seeking a deeper, more joyful connection with God, this episode invites you to experience restoration, delight, and His presence in the everyday.

Connect further with Asheritah:

Delighting in Jesus | Substack | Instagram

Connect further with Em:

⁠Substack⁠ | ⁠emtyler.com⁠ | ⁠Instagram⁠ | Facebook |  Email 

Interested in having Em come speak at your event? ⁠Book Em today! ⁠

In this thought-provoking conversation, I sit down with everyone’s favourite neurosurgeon, Dr. Lee Warren (also an author, and all-round deep thinker) to explore the transformative practice he teaches called self-brain surgery.

Dr. Lee unpacks the science of neuroplasticity in a way that’s both accessible and faith-filled, helping us understand that our brains are far more adaptable than we realise. We talk about how intentional thinking, gratitude, and taking our thoughts captive can reshape our internal world and ultimately change how we show up in our external one.

What I loved most about this conversation is how seamlessly he weaves together neuroscience and the hope of the gospel. It’s practical, deeply encouraging, and a reminder that we are not trapped by old patterns. There’s real healing available — and it begins in the mind.

We talk about:

✨ What self-brain surgery actually is — and why it matters✨ Why you are not defined by your past thought patterns✨ The power of neuroplasticity to reshape your brain✨ How gratitude can chemically shift anxiety✨ Using “thought biopsies” to challenge unhealthy thinking✨ Why chronic stress affects not just you, but everyone around you✨ How faith and neuroscience work together in renewal✨ Finding purpose and hope, even in seasons of deep suffering

Connect further with Dr. Lee:

WebsiteSocials: @drleewarren

Connect further with Em:

⁠Substack⁠ | ⁠emtyler.com⁠ | ⁠Instagram⁠ | Facebook |  Email 

Interested in having Em come speak at your event? ⁠Book Em today! ⁠

If you found this podcast helpful, please subscribe.

Subscribe now

If it would help someone you know, share it.

Share

If you found it a blessing in any way, you can show love by making a one time (no subscription!!!) donation below.

One-off Donation

Boy oh boy did the Spirit show up in this conversation with the brilliant Kimberly Phinney as we talked about navigating chronic illness with faith, resilience, and creativity.

Kimberly shares her journey through stage four endometriosis, sepsis, and the challenges of living with a chronic condition, reflecting on how these experiences have shaped her faith and creative expression. We explore the importance of community support, finding beauty in suffering, and using poetry and creative outlets to process pain and connect with God. Kimberly also shares her mission with The Way Back to Ourselves, a platform supporting creatives and leaders, and how gratitude, prayer, and presence in the lives of others sustain hope and healing.

We talk about:

✨ How chronic illness can transform your faith and perspective✨ The power of community and support in difficult seasons✨ Finding beauty and meaning even in suffering✨ Prayer and daily connection with God as tools for resilience✨ Creative expression, like poetry, as a form of healing✨ The role of gratitude in reframing our challenges✨ Being present and supportive for others in their struggles

Whether you’re navigating illness, supporting someone you love, or seeking ways to live fully in the tension of pain and hope, this episode is an invitation to embrace resilience, faith, and creative expression in your journey.

Connect further with Kimberly:

The Way Back to Ourselves | Substack | Instagram

Connect further with Em:

⁠Substack⁠ | ⁠emtyler.com⁠ | ⁠Instagram⁠ | Facebook |  Email 

Interested in having Em come speak at your event? ⁠Book Em today! ⁠